By tf-lawyer.com During a recent interview, Liu Fangfang, a millennial mother, shared her experience of taking her six-month-old baby to visit a childcare facility in Hangzhou during the National Day holiday. She described her delight as she watched her baby engage with the toys, cooing happily. “This shows he really enjoys being here, and he seems to be adapting well to the surroundings,” she remarked.
As Liu prepares to go back to work after her maternity leave, the challenge of finding adequate childcare is becoming increasingly urgent, especially without family nearby to help. Learning that many childcare centers in Hangzhou offer services for infants, she was eager to explore her options.
Traditionally, most daycare facilities require children to be at least two to three years old, leaving many working parents struggling to find suitable care for infants. With its reputation for attracting talent, Hangzhou has seen an increasing demand for infant care services, particularly for children under two.
The recent Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee highlighted the need for a universal childcare service system. Since 2020, the Hangzhou government has been actively seeking inclusive childcare solutions as part of its social welfare initiatives.
To further refine these services, the city has rolled out a plan focused on improving care for children under two. “This presents a new frontier for childcare facilities, parents, and our health management departments,” noted Cui Weiwu, a committee member from the Hangzhou Health Commission. “Our aim is to guide the industry toward more professionalism and quality while expanding effective care options for families.”
When asked about the implementation of these services, Cui emphasized the importance of careful planning based on the local population of young children. The initiative seeks to enhance access by increasing the availability of infant care options.
Recognizing the gaps in services for children aged zero to two, Hangzhou is mobilizing community resources and making childcare more convenient. The city is rapidly developing embedded childcare facilities in newly renovated residential areas as well as older neighborhoods, establishing 104 community centers that integrate public and private resources.
Quality control remains a high priority. The new plan mandates monthly site visits by child health specialists to ensure standards at childcare facilities, along with support for staff training through local healthcare organizations.
Cui highlighted that the fee structure significantly influences parents’ decisions regarding childcare services. Currently, Hangzhou has identified 364 social welfare institutions with an average monthly cost of around 2,800 yuan. In 2023, the city allocated 32.98 million yuan in subsidies to make childcare more affordable.
This year, local health authorities commissioned a cost analysis of 40 childcare centers across various districts. The results showed that most facilities rely on community support to lease commercial spaces, with rental and staffing expenses consuming over 75% of total income. They face challenges related to high initial investment costs, operational expenses, extended payback periods, and financial vulnerabilities.
In response to these challenges, Hangzhou aims to lower costs and increase efficiency in childcare services by promoting collaboration among government, community, and market forces to maintain affordable options.
For example, at a facility in Hangzhou’s Shangcheng District, the average cost for larger classes is currently around 3,300 yuan per month. With planned improvements, this could decrease to no more than 2,755 yuan monthly. In contrast, the cost for larger classes in the western region of Chun’an averages 1,562 yuan, which could drop to 1,160 yuan per month. Furthermore, the introduction of a 600-yuan childcare voucher in the west could lower families’ expenses to approximately 560 yuan monthly, significantly easing their financial burden.
Currently, infant care options for children under two account for 18.97% of available slots in Hangzhou, reflecting an 11% increase since last year. The city aims to surpass 30% by the end of 2027, with plans to certify at least 500 professionals in specialized childcare roles.
